aurinkopimennyksestä

Aurinkopimennyksestä (solar eclipse) occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun. This can only happen during a new moon, when the Sun and Moon are in conjunction as seen from Earth. There are three main types of solar eclipses: total, partial, and annular.

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon completely covers the Sun. During totality, the Sun's corona, its outer atmosphere, becomes visible as a faint halo around the Moon. This is a rare and spectacular event that can only be seen from a narrow path on Earth known as the path of totality.

A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon only obscures a portion of the Sun. From Earth, it appears as if the Moon is taking a "bite" out of the Sun. Partial eclipses are more common than total ones and can be seen over a wider area.

An annular solar eclipse takes place when the Moon is farther away from Earth in its orbit, making it appear smaller than the Sun. In this case, the Moon cannot completely cover the Sun, leaving a bright ring, or annulus, of sunlight visible around the Moon's silhouette.

Solar eclipses are predictable astronomical events. Ancient civilizations observed and recorded them, often attributing them to mythological explanations. Modern science allows for precise predictions of when and where eclipses will occur. It is crucial never to look directly at the Sun during any phase of a solar eclipse without proper eye protection, such as certified eclipse glasses, to prevent serious eye damage.